STARKS’ ROSTER SPOT APPEARS TO BE IN JEOPARDY

Max Starks knew when he joined the Chargers in May that he’d be competing.

He didn’t expect it would be for this.

The Chargers tackle has spent most of the past three months vying for the starting spot on the left side. Now that it’s apparent King Dunlap is the choice there, although not officially declared by coach Mike McCoy, Starks’ roster spot appears firmly in jeopardy as he finds himself in a new competition.

Starks, 31, and Michael Harris, 24, are competing to be the Chargers’ swing tackle. The reserve role supports either the left or right tackle as needed during a game.

The recent division of reps suggests Harris is the favorite.

When Dunlap briefly exited Saturday’s exhibition with an ankle injury, it was Harris who replaced him. When Dunlap missed Monday’s practice with ankle soreness, it was Harris again who brought support.

A nine-game starter in 2012 as an undrafted rookie, Harris has practiced mostly on the right side this offseason. That experience and his current first-team work seem to be preparing him to handle the versatile swing role in the regular season.

“We’ve got one more game,” Harris said, referring to Thursday’s exhibition finale against the 49ers. “Just got to go out there and prove to the coaches that they can count on me and I can be a guy who can come in and play. ... I’ve got Phil (Rivers) and all the quarterbacks counting on me. If something happens to one of our tackles, I need to be able to go in and not skip a beat.”

The situation has deteriorated rapidly around Starks.

Dunlap opened the first two weeks of training camp as the first-team left tackle, performing well and establishing himself over Starks as the favorite for the job. The outlook was reinforced during the first game when Dunlap was sharp in a 12-play scoring drive. Starks followed with a second team that was out of sync.

On Aug. 10, the two veterans started rotating at first-team left tackle in practice. They then rotated series against the Bears, as Starks started and played 21 snaps. After that game, the rotation with Dunlap quickly ended.

During the weeks Dunlap saw favorable practice reps, Starks emphasized the importance of games. On Monday, he said he would’ve liked “more of an opportunity” to get in games with the ones, “but that’s not the way it went.”

The Chargers must cut the roster from 75 to 53 players before Saturday at 3 p.m.

“Is it tough?” Starks said. “No. It’s football. I leave it to them upstairs. I don’t know how they feel or think, so I guess we’ll see after this game.”

Malcom is back

Several scenarios ran through Malcom Floyd’s mind two weeks ago when being carted off the Chargers’ practice field. None were as hopeful as this.

The wide receiver practiced Monday for the first time since injuring his right knee on Aug. 12. He participated in individual drills and saw the occasional team-period rep, appearing on track for the Sept. 9 season opener against the Texans.

“He should be out there,” McCoy said.

Floyd, 31, feared his career had ended when he landed awkwardly on an end-zone jump for a Philip Rivers pass. He also injured his ankle and hip on the play, but the knee was the worry.

The team’s athletic trainer hurried over, and about two dozen teammates gathered in prayer. An MRI later revealed only a strain.

“I could have sworn I tore every tendon in my knee,” Floyd said. “I’m really thankful we have a great training staff. They were able to deal with the situation based on their experience. Our team doctor did a great job diagnosing it and treating it immediately to get me back earlier than expected.”

Nuts ‘n’ Bolts

The Chargers must sell 1,100 general tickets before 7 p.m. today to avoid a blackout for Thursday night’s game.

• Wide receiver Eddie Royal (bruised lung, concussion) has not resumed football activities since being hospitalized Aug. 17. Inside linebacker Manti Te’o (foot sprain) is expected to miss his third preseason game.